Basin Street Lounge — Attraction in Alexandria

I have been going to this place for years, its also known locally as the 219 lounge. Since this establishment is basically 3 types of places in one building, I'll only talk about the lounge on the top floor which I frequent most. This place is an old school cigar lounge. One of the few left in the metro DC area. The ambience is straight late 19th century. Dark wood, a big fireplace, low lighting. Someone time traveling from the turn of the 20th century would be right at home here. You can buy cigars there at the bar, or bring your own sticks. The awesome bar staff has a solid selection of whiskeys to pair with your cigar of choice.

Up front there is usually a live band (Thursday to Saturday last I checked) and up top a balcony. If the band isn't your thing, there is a backroom complete with tables and old school oversized 1920s era looking leather sofas. There is usually a game to watch there but it is never cranked up to the point you can't have a friendly conversation.

Which brings me to my next joy of this place. The folks there are always friendly and sociable. You get friendly folks from all walks of life: Different economic classes, races, genders (yes, ladies have gotten into cigar smoking these days) tourists, regulars, and locals. I myself have had great conversations with complete strangers that ranged from CEOs to local waiters.

It's a good place to bring your wife or girlfriend, as a group, or even show up stag. If you are a novice cigar smoker, a cigar connessieur, or want to impress visiting friends and family, you should give this...

Absolutely loved this place. It was our first experience and it was all love. The band was awesome and showed us so much love and great crowed as well. Make sure you check your receipt prior to paying. We had a couple of extra charges for the band fee. I am not sure if it was due to us treating others for drinks but either way we shouldn’t have been charged. I did it get corrected and when the server pointed out who we brought a drink for, I pointed out the fact that we brought a drink and didn’t have anything else to do with anything they had going on. Seating in the band area is first come first serve so check the time that the band arrives and go 30 or so mins earlier to get a seat and have time to order.

Edit: let me add that I reviewed my account today (03/25/24) and I had extra charges pending on my card/account. I called and asked for the manager who I felt like answered the phone because it was the same person that I spoke to originally Saturday (03/23/2024) about the venue. The person kept saying hello after I asked her for the manager then hung up. I called right back and a guy answered and he stated she will be back in 30mins. I called right back to see if someone else could help or I was going up there and she asked for my name, number, last 4 of my card and will get the manager to call me back. We truly liked this place but at this point, we are not sure if we will be returning. I gave them 5 stars originally but reduced it down due to them wanting to charge me what they wanted versus what they should have LEGALLY!! Plus I never got...

I’m giving a star because of how good the band played and how hard the staff were working. However, this place feels super judgmental the moment you step in. My girlfriend and I were walking around old town and were drawn by the music, so my girlfriend and I decided to step in to see what was going on. It’s definitely a place for older people. I’m 24 and I’m almost certain I was the youngest person there besides the bar back. I was dressed as a normal 24 year old (I’d like to think…I mean I was wearing a hoodie and some khaki polo pants with some sneakers). But everyone kept staring over, at my girlfriend and I and everyone seemed quite pretentious (I mean I guess you have to be a little if you’re coming to smoke a cigar) but we were definitely treated differently than everyone else in there. We were being ignored by the staff and even when we were addressed it was very half-*seed compared to how they treated everyone else. I couldn’t call it if it was the way we were dressed or our age but everyone showed us animosity while we were there. Very culty vibes in there if you’re anything under 30 years old for sure. If it is about the clothes, don’t plan on coming unless you’re dressed like a banana republic ad with some pretentious watch and jewelry. And if it is about the age don’t plan on coming in your twenties. That was my take on this place. Not complaining if your point is to keep a certain type of customer but if that’s the case why keep an open door if you’re not going to...